building boat ladder for dogs

I'm currently planning on building a boat ladder for my dogs (two
dogs, ~80 lbs each) and was wondering if anyone has some suggestions.
I was thinking about using PVC to build the ladder frame, and then
strapping sheets of fiberglass or something water-friendly to the PVC
frame. I figure some of you woodworkers (thus the post to
rec.woodworking) might have some tips on design and/or materials,
because obviously you can't just build everything out of wood all the
time, right? :)
My current design would be a 2-step ladder, again with a frame built
out of PVC. The frame would attach to the boat with a simple rope and
hook assembly to the back of the boat. I would like the fiberglass
sheets to be detachable from the frame fairly easily so that the
design is friendly for storage. Another concern is that the bottom
step needs to be submerged underwater, i.e. not floating. The
PVC/fiberglass combo is the best I can come up with, but perhaps
someone has a better suggestion?
Disclaimers:
(1) I know you can buy ladders like this, but from what I've seen,
they're aren't many options, and they're typically very expensive. I
think I can build something that suits my needs for considerably less
money.
(2) I know some people have taught their dogs to climb up their
foldout ladders. I don't see how this is possible with my dogs, the
rungs on the ladder are way too narrow for their paws.
(3) I know I cross-posted this to rec.woodworking, but I also know the
people in that newsgroup are pretty good with their hands and might
have some tips on my assembly. If someone can recommend a better
newsgroup for this post, please let me know, as my intent isn't to
post this somewhere where it's frowned upon.
Thanks,
Dustin

One aquaintance of mine has a lab that can climb the standard three step
boarding ladder on the swim step! My cousins weiner dog can also climb the
boarding ladder, but only because it is small enough that it can swim up the
first step (which is belly deep to it) and get its entire body on the step
and then jump up to the next step.
An arrangement that I have seen that appears to work really well is a ramp.
Hinged against the swim platform, weighted at the other so it sinks, held in
position by floats on lines.
Rod

I was shown a trick for getting dogs up on platforms and docks that
worked great but it won't allow the dog to get out unassisted. The
dog won't require any training either. When the dog swims up, just
support the back of her head with your hand and let her push back on
your hand while climbing up. The dog will be out of the water in a
flash and even with a big dog there is little effort on your part.

Years ago now, I built a sloping platform out of scrap sq steel tubing and
expanded metal that hooks over the gunwale and is just about waterlevel when
the boat is at rest (14' Dura Craft, 25hp Johnson, I use for duck hunting).
When my Lab (110#) comes up to it I can just go to that side, lean a little
and the end may drop 6" under the water so he can climb up. The routine is:
he hands me the duck first, then he shakes most (some) of the water off,
then he can come in (to the forward seat, which is covered in the old "tire
cord" door mat, for traction). I made it just wide enough so it stores
upside-down over the front seat so the arms that hook over the gunwale face
down toward the floor. This takes up almost no room.
My "big" boat, a 20.5' Wellcraft w/200hp Merc has a swim platform on the
back made out of P.E. I found that, when my lab comes up to it I can grab
his collar and pull briefly and he's up!
You can get some ideas or buy one, from a hunting catalog or on the
internet, like Cabelas.
LD

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